Considering the Flip Flop trend? These are the ONLY pieces to buy
To wear a thong is to tread a fine footwear line. Here's how to do so in style
In last weekend’s newsletter I revealed that flip flops are making a shock comeback, just in time for summer.
Both The Row and Kenzo featured thongs at the centre of their Spring Summer ‘25 collections, whilst cult brands like Dries Van Noten and Auralee have placed their bets on neo-flip flops for the current season.
Just after I’d hit the “send” button on Sunday’s missive, I realised that merely sharing the information that flip flops had returned - without any sort of guidance on how to actually wear the most divisive footwear style since Crocs - was nothing short of irresponsible.
So here I am again, ever your humble sartorial servant, with a full guide to buying and wearing the only flip flop sandals worthy of your wardrobe right now.
1 | The Show Ponies
Technically speaking, I’m not in love with these heavy-duty rubber thongs from Prada, but they fit the current flip flop trend and they’ve got a purposeful solidity about them, which would look cool, worn on the right feet.
Wear them with: A pair of cropped black jeans from Agolde, an oversized black tee from Frame, and some big black snake sunglasses from JordanLuca.
2 | The Hairy Ones
I’m low key preoccupied with these hairy, furry, hobbit-y thongs from Dries Van Noten. They’re a statement, so shouldn’t be worn lightly (nor should they be worn as verruca-avoiders in your gym shower), but wield them correctly and they’ll make you look like the cave-dwelling style leader you were born to be.
Wear them with: A pair of high-waisted, wide-leg raw denim jeans from Gucci, a blousy silk or gauze shirt from Our Legacy and a drape-y blazer from Dries van Noten (it’d be rude not to).
3 | The Affordable Ones
It’s hard to go wrong with these classic chestnut leather thong sandals from perennial mums’ favourite Russell & Bromley. They’re not so expensive that you’ll mind beating them up a bit, so take them on holiday and wear them in every eventuality. Beach hopping included.
Wear them with: A pair of wide leg silky shorts from Nanushka and a tan.
4 | The Stealth Ones
They’ll look great, but they won’t be comfortable. Less shoes, more cheese wires with soles, these slinky Saint Laurent slip ons are the kind of shoes which should be worn to glide elegantly around the Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech (and not to venture much farther).
Wear them with: A slim-cut black suit from either Prada (champagne money) or The Kooples (beer) and nothing beneath. Black Saint Laurent sunglasses, essential.
5 | The Surprisingly Great Ones
Under the Aegis of relatively new creative director Christopher Bastin, American prep brand Gant has been producing some excellent under-the-radar pieces. I almost bought a pair of wide-leg silk slacks from the brand on a recent (unplanned) trip to the Regent Street store and I can’t get enough of these padded leather sandals. A bit fashion - but not too much - they’ll go with everything and you should buy them right now.
Wear them with: A pair of floaty silk trousers from Loewe or Gant and an equally roomy shirt from Delos.
6 | The Halfway House
Ok, so the strappy backs of theses Giorgio Armani numbers technically make them less flip-flops, more sandal (I guess primarily because they won’t make that tell-tale “flip-flop” sound when they’re walked in) but they have a thong toe so in my menswear-addled mind, they count.
Wear them with: A roomy, drapey, syrupy Giorgio Armani suit, of course.
7 | The Chonky Boys
Another curveball, this time from Madrid-based luxury brand Loewe, but the thong toe does the flip flop job for me - and there’s not even a back-strap! The kind of flip flops to wear if you really, really hate flip flops, they’ll have you graduating to Saint Laurent’s little cheese wires before the summer is out; mark my words.
Wear them with: A pair of above-the-knee, cut-off denim shorts from Prada and an oversized, heavyweight cotton Tee from Arket. High-low! Crusty-yet-spenny beach bag, optional.
8 | The Beach-Friendly Ones
The closest things to a pair of Havaianas you’ll find on this list but they’re made by archduke of stealth-lux Brunello Cucinelli and feature elegant grosgrain toe straps so, yea.
Wear them with: A pair of simple Midnight blue Vilebrequin swim shorts and a beach shirt you don’t mind exposing to the elements.
9 | The Chi-Chi Ones
I can feel the pinch from these Manolo Blahnik tan leather thong sandals just by looking at them. They’re beautiful, though, and they’ll look great worn with classic summer tailoring. I’d even go so far as to say you could wear them to a wedding - so long as said wedding is taking place on a beach.
Wear them with: A pastel-hued Richard James wedding suit and a linen grandad shirt from Cos.
10 | The Perfect Ones
I adore these ultra-simple leather flip-flop sandals from elegant Japanese brand Auralee. Wear with thin white socks in the winter or with a pedicure in summer and keep the rest of your outfit simple. Something high in the waist would work well.
Wear them with: Some slim (but definitely not skinny) jeans from Samen Amel, a close-cut black mock turtleneck from Luca Faloni and a smart cropped bomber jacket from Bottega Veneta. Black.
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